Jake Paul sat near two championship belts and a cruiserweight champion during a news conference Wednesday in Hollywood.
It could be a sign that he’s trying to line up a title fight with Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, the owner of the belts and the WBO and WBA world cruiserweight champion.
“I’m ready now,’’ Paul said.
But first up: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., the son of legendary fighter Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. and a former middleweight champion whom Paul will fight June 28. They’ll face off in a 10-round cruiserweight bout at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
The co-main on the card will pit Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs) against Yuniel Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs.)
Chavez (54-6-1 with 34 KOs) is coming off a victory by unanimous decision last July over Uriah Hall, who was fighting as a pro for only the second time.
Paul expressed little concern about his upcoming fight with Chavez, who was the WBC world middleweight champion in 2011 and 2012. “This is his toughest fight to date,’’ Paul said of Chavez, “and I’m going to embarrass him and make him quit like he always does.’’
Ramirez, a 33-year-old from Mexico, indicated he would be open to fighting Paul, the YouTuber-turned boxer, at some point. Chris Mannix, the emcee at the news conference, raised the possibility of a title fight not being too far behind for Paul.
Ramirez, the reigning cruiserweight champion, said of Paul: “I mean, I have this opponent I have to take care of first,’’ he said of Dorticos. “This match and then I mean, whoever don’t matter.’’
Paul would have to jump into the Top 15 rankings of the WBA or WBO to be eligible to fight Ramirez in what would amount to a voluntary title defense.
Earlier Wednesday, when asked about a title fight, Paul indicated it could take longer.
‘Yeah, we’re very close,” he said. ‘I think less than two years. The right opportunity just has to open up, but right now, I’m focused on this former world champion (Chavez), and this is going to build my resume and build my skillset under the lights.”
Paul, 28, embarked on his pro boxing career in 2020 and is 11-1 with seven knockouts. He is coming off a victory over Mike Tyson by unanimous decision on Nov. 20.